So I'm new to the CG world and even though its been almost a week I'm getting discouraged. I recently found out my hair is very porous and it's due to over styling with heat ... My hair is about a little bit below my shoulders and it can't hold a curl or moisture or anything. I started the CG method and my hair still feels about the same. The middle of my hair is extremely frizzy, whereas the bottom and front of my hair more defined. I'm pretty sure my natural hair type is between 3b-3c, but because of the heat, it's just stretched out. I clarified my hair one last time and currently in using suave coco as my rinse out, v05 conditioner as LI, coconut oil on my ends, and the Eco styler olive oil gel at the end. My hair looks good for about 2 hours then there's no life to it afterwards. Suggestions?

So I'm new to the CG world and even though its been almost a week I'm getting discouraged. I recently found out my hair is very porous and it's due to over styling with heat ... My hair is about a little bit below my shoulders and it can't hold a curl or moisture or anything. I started the CG method and my hair still feels about the same. The middle of my hair is extremely frizzy, whereas the bottom and front of my hair more defined. I'm pretty sure my natural hair type is between 3b-3c, but because of the heat, it's just stretched out. I clarified my hair one last time and currently in using suave coco as my rinse out, v05 conditioner as LI, coconut oil on my ends, and the Eco styler olive oil gel at the end. My hair looks good for about 2 hours then there's no life to it afterwards. Suggestions? Attachment 27967Attachment 27968Attachment 27969Attachment 27970Attachment 27971

Originally Posted by Jayesmommy

It will take a while because of the heat damage...or you could cut off the heat damaged hair. There are different methods to bring your hair "back to life", but the most reliable one is making sure your hair gets moisture.

Try a hot oil treatment, low-poo, and deep condition. Use a leave-in, then a soft hold product. Air dry only. You can also place a conditioner on your dry hair (don't mist or wet hair), rinse, cowash, deep condition. Use a leave-in, then a soft hold product, and air dry.

I've never had heat damage, but at one time my hair was so dry I thought it would never be soft again. These two methods helped me. You can also sleep with a satin bonnet for a while.

I suffered damage from a nasty peroxide mishap recently, so that some of my hair became highly porous, in the way you describe.

Here's what worked for me: After using a clarifying shampoo (like Suave clar ... ), I followed up with an ACV rinse to close the cuticles.

Next: I did a protein treatment (I use "JOICO K-pak"). Keratin protein can help give your hair back the elasticity it lost when your hair cuticle was damaged, and that can lead to revived curls. Plus keratin fills in the damaged areas of the cuticle so the hair is smoother, stronger and better defined. OK ... Then the rinse out, followed by a DC to moisturize the hair (I use Heaven In Hair conditioner by DevaCurl). Left that on for 1 hr. and rinsed. You may have to repeat this process for the next few times you go to wash your hair.

Yeah I cut off maybe 3 inches and I bought a denman brush which helped curl my hair some, but it's only the back of my hair near my neck (is That the nape?) I really wanna do the big chop just to start fresh but my husband doesn't want me to.

I suffered damage from a nasty peroxide mishap recently, so that some of my hair became highly porous, in the way you describe.

Here's what worked for me: After using a clarifying shampoo (like Suave clar ... ), I followed up with an ACV rinse to close the cuticles.

Next: I did a protein treatment (I use "JOICO K-pak"). Keratin protein can help give your hair back the elasticity it lost when your hair cuticle was damaged, and that can lead to revived curls. Plus keratin fills in the damaged areas of the cuticle so the hair is smoother, stronger and better defined. OK ... Then the rinse out, followed by a DC to moisturize the hair (I use Heaven In Hair conditioner by DevaCurl). Left that on for 1 hr. and rinsed. You may have to repeat this process for the next few times you go to wash your hair.

Originally Posted by Korkscrew

I'll keep that in mind .... I thought about buying the suave clarifying shampoo but ended up buying the mint one. (Not sure why i even did that..) but I've been looking for a protein treatment and I'm still in the process of finding to see what products work.

I suffered damage from a nasty peroxide mishap recently, so that some of my hair became highly porous, in the way you describe.

Here's what worked for me: After using a clarifying shampoo (like Suave clar ... ), I followed up with an ACV rinse to close the cuticles.

Next: I did a protein treatment (I use "JOICO K-pak"). Keratin protein can help give your hair back the elasticity it lost when your hair cuticle was damaged, and that can lead to revived curls. Plus keratin fills in the damaged areas of the cuticle so the hair is smoother, stronger and better defined. OK ... Then the rinse out, followed by a DC to moisturize the hair (I use Heaven In Hair conditioner by DevaCurl). Left that on for 1 hr. and rinsed. You may have to repeat this process for the next few times you go to wash your hair.

I'll keep that in mind! My hair is pretty moisturized but it can't hold a curl! I used my denman brush to try and brush my hair alittle so I could do a protective style (I have this HUGE bruise on my forehead ..) and my bangs dried straight and it looks as if I used my hair straightener ... Considering on getting a new cut instead since I'm starting a new job.

I'll keep that in mind! My hair is pretty moisturized but it can't hold a curl! I used my denman brush to try and brush my hair alittle so I could do a protective style (I have this HUGE bruise on my forehead ..) and my bangs dried straight and it looks as if I used my hair straightener ... Considering on getting a new cut instead since I'm starting a new job.

Originally Posted by Jayesmommy

From the looks of your pictures it looks like your hair needs some protein! The structure of your hair is damaged by heat. Make a homemade protein treatment with an egg, cup of mayo, and a teaspoon of olive oil then leave it on for an hour. Then after applying your leave in seal with coconut oil. Coconut oil a great oil to seal in protein . Try doing it once a week and whatever you do, do NOT put vaseline in your hair. It will only weight it down and is NOT CG friendly.

I suffered damage from a nasty peroxide mishap recently, so that some of my hair became highly porous, in the way you describe.

Here's what worked for me: After using a clarifying shampoo (like Suave clar ... ), I followed up with an ACV rinse to close the cuticles.

Next: I did a protein treatment (I use "JOICO K-pak"). Keratin protein can help give your hair back the elasticity it lost when your hair cuticle was damaged, and that can lead to revived curls. Plus keratin fills in the damaged areas of the cuticle so the hair is smoother, stronger and better defined. OK ... Then the rinse out, followed by a DC to moisturize the hair (I use Heaven In Hair conditioner by DevaCurl). Left that on for 1 hr. and rinsed. You may have to repeat this process for the next few times you go to wash your hair.

Originally Posted by Korkscrew

I'm finding the advice on this thread really useful. If you were repeating the process the next few times - would you still do the clarifying each time, and the ACV?

UK based wavy

Mostly waves, but curls and straight bits too!
Fine to medium, high porosity, medium density, very low elasticity
Highlights damage (growing it out), seems to like protein and need lots of moisture.

I'll keep that in mind! My hair is pretty moisturized but it can't hold a curl! I used my denman brush to try and brush my hair alittle so I could do a protective style (I have this HUGE bruise on my forehead ..) and my bangs dried straight and it looks as if I used my hair straightener ... Considering on getting a new cut instead since I'm starting a new job.

Originally Posted by Jayesmommy

From the looks of your pictures it looks like your hair needs some protein! The structure of your hair is damaged by heat. Make a homemade protein treatment with an egg, cup of mayo, and a teaspoon of olive oil then leave it on for an hour. Then after applying your leave in seal with coconut oil. Coconut oil a great oil to seal in protein . Try doing it once a week and whatever you do, do NOT put vaseline in your hair. It will only weight it down and is NOT CG friendly.

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Originally Posted by LoveInBetween

egg protein is too large to penetrate the hair cuticle. It will just rinses off. Hydrolyzed protein is much better as it will penetrate the cuticle and fill in the gaps. Try Komazacare protein treatment or NBD cosmetics hair restoration treatment or Cush Cosmetics damage control or pre-salon keratin treatment. HTH

I'm finding the advice on this thread really useful. If you were repeating the process the next few times - would you still do the clarifying each time, and the ACV?

Originally Posted by lucyprimrose

This is a good question. Not everyone's hair reacts the same to frequent clarifying shampoo or ACV rinses. Just in case you also have a problem w/buildup, you can continue to clarify as long as you do a DC afterward. It's probably okay to do a few ACV rinses back to back as long as they are mild (approx. ratio: 1 or 2 tbsp. ACV to 1 cup water). Not only will this close the cuticles for more definition and shine, but it will help correct the pH balance if there is an imbalance. I have hard water, so ACVs help counteract the alkaline nature of my shower water.

... But like all things hair, it's about finding balance. Your hair will let you know if you are going too far in the direction of too much conditioner, too much protein or too much ACV. Once your hair seems normal again, I would cut back on the frequent ACV rinses, intense DCs and intense PTs (unless your hair starts "telling" you to go back to it).

Hi, I am new to CG as well and new to this forum. It is so great to talk with people who understand what I'm going through.

So looking at your hair I say mine was pretty much in the same boat as yours and the CG method was helping but it was still a mess so yesterday I did get a big cut even through I want to grow it long I knew I had to get the damage off. And I'm so glad I did!

I'm gonna copy and paste from one of my other posts my current routine if it helps. If its too much info I'm sorry, but my hair feels so nice and healthy I just hAve to share!

"Currently I am using either VO5 or tresseme natural conditioner for my cowash and then the tresseme for the leave in, then I follow with the curl creams (currently shea smoothie or curls creme brule) then a gel.*Tonight I was messing around a little. After my haircut I came home and cowashed with the V05, then a deep treatment with extra virgin olive oil and honey that I left on for an hour. Then I cowashed with the tresseme and rinsed really well with cold water, then some tresseme as a leave in.*Then I put a very tiney amount of the shea curl smoothie and combed it through. Then a moderate amount of the creme brule and combed. Then the curls curl goddess gel. Combed. Then I scrunched some curl smoothie on the ends and then more gel. I scrunched over all this with a tshirt to soak up excess water and product. Then I took a tiney amount of castor oil and scrunched on the ends, Then I did that "plop" thing for an hour. Then I let it air dry and when it was dry I fluffed a little and scrunched a tiney bit of creme brule to finish it. Here is what I wound up with. To give you an idea of how much product my hair can handle... it does feel soft though, not gunky, though I'm about to go to bed so I have no idea how long it would last during the day. Ill see if I can refresh it tomorrow without completely soaking it down again (which is what I usually have to do)"

Oh and my husband didnt want me to cut it either (men love long hair) but I told him it had to be done to grow it out. And he actually said he kind of likes it. He would never tell me what to do with my hair but I like his opinion.